Things to know for the holiday, from region to region

Canobie Lake Park in Salem, which is open today and Monday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., is observing Armed Forces Appreciation Days during the holiday weekend. Members of the military will be admitted for $10. (Regular adult admission is $35).

The forecast may not be perfect, but that isn't going to stop Manchester, Greater Nashua and other regions of the state from observing and enjoying the holiday weekend.

"Rain or shine, New Hampshire is opening up for the summer this weekend," said Tai Freligh, spokesman for the state Division of Travel and Tourism Development.

This is the first weekend that all of the state-operated campgrounds will be open for the season, and he expects many tourists will be roughing it in the wild under tents or in campers - despite the rain.

Freligh noted that this is a Blue Star weekend, meaning discounts for veterans and their families are available at many places throughout the state. Here is a rundown of other things you should know.

MANCHESTER

There are 16 hotels in the city, and all reported having available rooms this weekend.

The Amoskeag Millyard is home to The Millyard Museum, 200 Bedford St., which tracks the history of what is now Manchester, going back 11,000 years. It currently features a special exhibit on the War of 1812. The Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., displays paintings by famous artists, including Picasso. A new exhibit, "Poster Mania! Leisure, Romance and Adventure in 1890s America," debuts this weekend.

There are no movie theaters in Manchester. The closest cinema complex is Cinemagic in Hooksett, 1226 Hooksett Road. The earliest movies are shown at 11:30 a.m., the latest beginning at 11:45 p.m.. Ticket prices range from $8 for matinees before 4 p.m. to $18 for evening IMAX 3D presentations.

Retail shops are concentrated at the Mall of New Hampshire, 1500 S. Willow St., and downtown on Elm Street. Merchants at the mall include Sears, Best Buy, Old Navy and the Disney Store.

There are 55 award-winning restaurants located in Manchester. Barnes and Noble, 1741 S. Willow St., is the biggest book store in the city. It is open today from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Six cab companies, offering a total of 18 taxicabs, operate in the state's largest city. Queen City Taxi and Manchester Taxi Dispatch offer 24 hour-a-day service around the city and to and from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Other public transportation includes buses operated by the Manchester Transit Authority (MTA), with stops along Hanover Street, Brown Avenue, and South Willow Street at the Mall of New Hampshire. An adult fare costs $1.50, and an all-day pass is $4. Discounts of 75 cent fares and $2 all-day passes are offered to senior citizen and disabled riders. The MTA also offers express bus service to Nashua and Concord.

Police patrols in the city will be stepped up through Monday afternoon. No additional speed traps or sobriety checkpoints are planned.

CONCORD

There are four cab companies in Concord with drivers available 24 hours a day. Other public transportation includes buses operated by Concord Area Transit with stops along Loudon Road, N. Main St., and Route 3. Adult fares cost $1.25, while seniors ride for 50 cents. Children younger than 5 ride free. The buses will not run on Monday.

Police patrols in Concord will be stepped up through Monday evening.

There are two movie theaters in Concord: Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St., and Regal Cinemas, 282 Loudon Road. The earliest movies are shown at 11:15 a.m., and the latest begins at 10:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $8 for matinees before 5 p.m. to $13.50 for evening 3D presentations.

There are eight hotels in Concord. Each had vacancies as of Friday afternoon.

There are several gallery clothing stores on North Main Street, and the Granite State Candy Shoppe, 13 Warren St., is widely known for its ice cream as well as its chocolates.

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, 2 Institute Drive, features a display of "Star Trek" and "Star Wars" toys and memorabilia.

Military service members and veterans can play golf for free Monday at Beaver Meadow Golf Course, 1 Beaver Meadow Road, and all other golfers can play for $25 if they wear red, white and blue.

SOUTHERN N.H.

Closer to the Massachusetts border, travelers in Pelham are urged to exercise caution, with the New Hampshire Department of Highway Safety sponsoring random seatbelt compliance and safety checkpoints over the long weekend. Police Chief Joseph Roark said Pelham police typically deploy extra patrol units during peak hours on holiday weekends.

Salem police also say additional staff will be out patrolling for intoxicated drivers during the evening hours.

Canobie Lake Park in Salem is open today and Monday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Throughout the holiday weekend, the park is observing Armed Forces Appreciation Days, with members of the military admitted for $10. (Regular adult admission is $35).

In Windham, Griffin Park's rear soccer field is closed for maintenance. The town beach, 45 Cobbetts Pond Road, is open to residents and their guests, but lifeguards aren't yet on duty.

If rain spoils outdoor activities, The Pinball Wizard, 150 Bridge St., Pelham, features hundreds of vintage pinball machines, video games and skeeball. It is open today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chunky's Cinema Pub, 160 Bridge St., Pelham, will offer nine different films over the weekend, from current to classic, with family-style food. Admission is $7.50 evenings and $5.75 matinees, meals not included. In Londonderry, O'Neil Cinemas, in the Apple Tree Mall, features the latest hits on nine screens, with films generally shown from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Bowling at Park Place Lanes, Windham, is another option to outside activities.

People looking for some culture can visit the Derry Opera House today for a concert titled, "Something Wonderful I Missed: The Musicals of 1973."

For families looking for some free and silly entertainment, the Granite State Clowns Alley 190 will be visiting the YMCA of Greater Nashua, 24 Stadium Drive, from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday.

The Budweiser Clydesdales are a popular draw at 221 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack.

Merrimack Premium Outlets is having a four-day Memorial Weekend sale that ends Monday, with extra discounts on outlet prices and additional savings offered to military personnel who present a military identification card.

Lt. Bryan Marshall of the Nashua Police Department had a message for drivers. "Take care of each other. Take your time and be patient. There are going to be a lot of people on the roads."

MOUNT WASHINGTON

The third annual Alton Weagle Unusual Ascent Day on the Mount Washington Auto Road was moved from Saturday to Monday because of the rainy weather. The event is open to anyone wishing to don a costume and ascend the road via unconventional means.

Past participants included individuals who rode up on a unicycle, roller skis, tricycles, and a go-kart. This year, Ben Hvar will unveil his American flag made entirely of sticks found on the Mount Washington and will come down the Auto Road in his own "tubemobile,'' fashioned from inner tubes.

Those planning to participate must call 466-3988.

LAKES REGION

A tradition in downtown Meredith continues with the 22nd annual Memorial Weekend Craft Festival at the Mill Falls Marketplace today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Waterville Valley will be hosting its 24th Annual Chowderfest and Brews Celebration today from noon to 2 p.m. Area restaurants will vie for the title of best local chowder. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5 for children 12 and younger. The fee covers samples of each chowder and a voting ballot. From noon to 4 p.m., New Hampshire seasonal ales will be available in the brew tent.

The weather prompted some people to cancel plans to put their boats in the water this weekend, according to Scott Trexler, owner of Trexler's Marina in Moultonborough.

The state Marine Patrol is asking boaters who do go on the lakes to be cautious in case of low visibility today. Boaters are asked to obey all speed limits and safety rules.

Boaters will find marinas open for boat and watercraft sales, and sales this spring seem to be strong, said Bruce Thurston of Thurston's Marina in Weirs Beach.

Travelers will find gas prices a little cheaper than they were last summer. Thurston's will be selling gas at just under $4 a gallon, Thurston said; by comparison, the price at the end of August 2012 was about $4.20 a gallon, he said.

The Tanger Outlets in Tilton will hold a Memorial Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday.